Nuclear power plant vitrification apparatus and method

Abstract

The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant includes an upper chamber unit, a drive unit for providing a driving force, a lower chamber unit having an internal space for accommodating molten glass, and a hollow entry unit for entering the internal space of the lower chamber unit through the upper chamber unit and supplying objects to the molten glass, the entry unit including a bar-shaped main body and a plurality of branching portions branching from the main body, the objects passing through the main body and the branching portions are distributed and introduced into the molten glass, and variable operation is performed based on the driving force of the drive unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vitrification apparatus and method for a nuclear power plant. [Background technology]

[0002] Nuclear power plants generate a variety of radioactive waste. Radioactive waste vitrification technology has been developed to reduce the volume of this waste and to process it stably. In particular, combustible waste is generated in various forms, such as clothing, paper, resin, and liquid, and these radioactive wastes are fed into a glass melting furnace for vitrification.

[0003] In the conventional method, combustible waste such as clothing and paper is pelletized, or granular combustible waste such as waste resin is fed into the glass melting furnace using a screw feeder. However, when waste containing more dust than this is fed into the glass melting furnace, there is a high possibility of it scattering, and it is difficult to monitor the inside of the furnace due to the waste flowing into or scattering in the exhaust equipment. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to stably supply radioactive waste to a glass melting furnace.

[0005] In particular, the goal is to minimize the generation of dust during the process of adding radioactive waste, which is an important step in the long-term operation of a melting furnace, thereby enabling stable operation for vitrification.

[0006] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant, which includes an upper chamber unit, a drive unit for providing a driving force, a lower chamber unit having an internal space for accommodating molten glass, and a hollow entry unit for entering the internal space of the lower chamber unit through the upper chamber unit and supplying objects to the molten glass, the entry unit including a bar-shaped main body and a plurality of branching portions branching from the main body, the objects passing through the main body and the branching portions are distributed and introduced into the molten glass, and variable operation is performed based on the driving force of the drive unit.

[0008] Furthermore, the entry unit moves up and down based on the driving force of the drive unit, and the entry unit moves up and down depending on the level of the molten glass in the lower chamber unit.

[0009] The entrance unit also performs a circumferential rotational motion based on the driving force, thereby selecting a position for introducing the object into the molten glass.

[0010] The apparatus may further include a mixing auxiliary unit for fluidizing the molten glass in the lower chamber unit to assist in mixing the molten glass, the mixing auxiliary unit injecting a fluid into the internal space of the lower chamber unit, and the positioning is performed to prevent the inlet unit from being affected by the injection of the fluid from the mixing auxiliary unit.

[0011] The position selection is performed in either a first state before the entry unit enters the interior of the molten glass or a second state after the entry unit enters the interior of the molten glass.

[0012] In addition, the branch portion of the entry unit includes a first extension portion extending downward from the main body portion, a plurality of second extension portions extending outward from the first extension portion, and a third extension portion extending from each of the second extension portions toward the molten glass, at least a portion of the third extension portions being made of a corrosion-resistant material and entering the molten glass.

[0013] In addition, the branching portion of the entrance unit has a number of blade-like structures arranged around the inner circumferential surface, and the target object is sprayed while rotating and flowing in the entrance unit via the blade-like structures.

[0014] Furthermore, the target material includes radioactive waste and gas (e.g., nitrogen, etc.), and the blade-like structure is arranged in a spiral shape to form a vortex in the hollow part of the branching section, and the target material is rotated and mixed and discharged outside the entry unit through the blade-like structure.

[0015] The system further includes one or more air-cooled input units for supplying the radioactive waste and the gas together to the inlet unit.

[0016] The object also contains a predetermined level of moisture to prevent the object from sticking in the entry unit.

[0017] The wing-like structure is provided at a position spaced at least 15 cm to 20 cm above the lower end of the branched portion.

[0018] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for operating a vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant, comprising the steps of: storing molten glass in an internal space of a lower chamber unit; an entry unit entering the internal space of the lower chamber unit through an upper chamber unit; and causing an object to be supplied to the molten glass in the lower chamber unit by the entry unit, wherein the vitrification apparatus includes a drive unit for providing a driving force, and the entry unit includes a bar-shaped main body and a plurality of branch portions branching from the main body, and the object is distributed to the molten glass via the main body and the branch portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention as described above, one or more of the following effects can be obtained.

[0020] The present invention makes it possible to stably supply radioactive waste to a glass melting furnace.

[0021] In particular, by minimizing the generation of dust during the process of adding radioactive waste, which is an important step in the long-term operation of a melting furnace, stable operation for vitrification is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. 1 in detail. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for operating a vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] The present invention provides a vitrification device for a nuclear power plant, comprising: an upper chamber unit; a drive unit for providing a driving force; a lower chamber unit having an internal space for accommodating molten glass; and a hollow entry unit for entering the internal space of the lower chamber unit through the upper chamber unit and supplying objects to the molten glass, the entry unit including a bar-shaped main body and a plurality of branching portions branching from the main body, the objects passing through the main body and the branching portions are distributed and introduced into the molten glass, and variable operations are performed based on the driving force of the drive unit.

[0024] [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the following detailed embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and can be realized in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims. The same reference symbols refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1 , a vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “vitrification apparatus 100”) includes an upper chamber unit 110, a drive unit 120, an air-cooled input unit 130, an entry unit 140, a lower chamber unit 150, a slab unit 160, and a heating unit 170.

[0026] 1 and 2, the entrance unit 140 includes a main body 141 and a branch 142. The branch 142 includes a first extension 1421, a second extension 1422, and a third extension 1423.

[0027] 3, the upper chamber unit 110 of the vitrification apparatus 100 corresponds to a structure located above the lower chamber unit 150. The driving unit 120 serves to provide a driving force to the vitrification apparatus 100.

[0028] The lower chamber unit 150 accommodates molten glass M in its internal space. The entrance unit 140 enters the internal space of the lower chamber unit 150 through the upper chamber unit 110.

[0029] The entry unit 140 is configured to have a hollow structure for supplying an object (e.g., powdered radioactive waste, air, etc.) to the molten glass M. The main body 141 of the entry unit 140 has a bar shape.

[0030] The branching portion 142 of the inlet unit 140 branches into a plurality of portions from the main body portion 141. The objects pass through the main body portion 141 and the branching portion 142, are distributed to the molten glass M, and are then introduced into the molten glass M.

[0031] 3 and 4, the entrance unit 140 performs variable operations based on the driving force of the driving unit 120. For example, the entrance unit 140 moves up and down depending on the level of the molten glass M in the lower chamber unit 150.

[0032] In addition, the entrance unit 140 rotates in a circumferential direction based on the driving force, thereby allowing the position for introducing the object into the molten glass M to be selected.

[0033] The lower chamber unit 150 includes a mixing auxiliary unit 151 for fluidizing the molten glass M and assisting in mixing the molten glass M. The mixing auxiliary unit 151 injects a fluid into the internal space of the lower chamber unit 150.

[0034] Here, the position of the entrance unit 140 is selected so that the entrance unit 140 can avoid being affected by the fluid jet of the mixing auxiliary unit 151 .

[0035] The position selection is performed in either a first state before the approach unit 140 approaches the interior of the molten glass M or a second state after the approach unit 140 approaches the interior of the molten glass M.

[0036] The first extension 1421 of the branch 142 extends downward from the main body 141. The second extension 1422 of the branch 142 extends outward from the first extension 1421.

[0037] The third extension portions 1423 of the branch portion 142 extend from the second extension portions 1422 toward the molten glass M. At least a portion of the third extension portions 1423 is made of a corrosion-resistant material and enters the molten glass M.

[0038] 3 and 5, the branching portion 142 of the inlet unit 140 is provided with a number of blade-like structures 140a arranged around the inner periphery. The target is injected while rotating through the inlet unit 140 via the blade-like structures 140a.

[0039] The blade-like structure 140a is spirally arranged to form a vortex in the hollow portion of the branching portion 142. The target objects are rotated and mixed by the blade-like structure 140a and discharged to the outside of the inlet unit 140.

[0040] The air-cooled input unit 130 may be provided in one or more units so that the target radioactive waste and the gas in the air (eg, nitrogen) are supplied to the entrance unit 140 together.

[0041] The object preferably contains a predetermined level of moisture to prevent the object from sticking in the entry unit 140. The wing-like structure 140a is provided at a position spaced apart from at least the lower end of the branch portion 142 by a distance ranging from about 15 cm to 20 cm.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, in a method of operating a vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant (S100) according to an embodiment of the present invention, molten glass M is accommodated in the internal space of the lower chamber unit 150 of the vitrification apparatus 100.

[0043] In addition, the entrance unit 140 of the vitrification apparatus 100 enters the internal space of the lower chamber unit 150 through the upper chamber unit 110 of the vitrification apparatus 100 .

[0044] The entrance unit 140 allows an object to be supplied to the molten glass M in the lower chamber unit 150. The drive unit 120 of the vitrification apparatus 100 provides a driving force required for vitrification operation.

[0045] The entrance unit 140 includes a main body 141 having a predetermined shape and a plurality of branching portions 142 branching from the main body 141. The target object is distributed to the molten glass M via the main body 141 and the branching portions 142.

[0046] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A vitrification device for a nuclear power plant, comprising: an upper chamber unit; a drive unit for providing a driving force; a lower chamber unit having an internal space for accommodating molten glass; a hollow entry unit for entering the internal space of the lower chamber unit through the upper chamber unit and supplying an object to the molten glass; The ingress unit The device includes a bar-shaped main body and a plurality of branched portions branching from the main body, the object passes through the main body portion and the branch portion, and is distributed and introduced into the molten glass; A vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant, wherein a variable operation is performed based on the driving force of the driving unit.

2. The entry unit moves up and down based on the driving force of the driving unit, The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to claim 1 , wherein the vertical positional movement of the entry unit is performed according to the water level of the molten glass in the lower chamber unit.

3. The ingress unit 3. The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to claim 2, wherein a rotational movement in a circumferential direction is performed based on the driving force, so that a position for introducing the object into the molten glass is selected.

4. a mixing auxiliary unit for flowing the molten glass in the lower chamber unit to assist in mixing the molten glass, The mixing auxiliary unit injects a fluid into the internal space of the lower chamber unit; The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to claim 3 , wherein the positioning is performed so that the entry unit avoids the influence of the injection of the fluid from the mixing auxiliary unit.

5. The ingress unit 4. The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to claim 3, wherein the position selection is performed in either a first state before entering the interior of the molten glass or a second state after entering the interior of the molten glass.

6. The branch of the entrance unit a first extension portion extending downward from the main body portion; a plurality of second extensions extending outward from the first extensions; a third extension extending from each of the second extensions toward the molten glass; The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the third extension is made of a corrosion-resistant material and is adapted to be inserted into the molten glass.

7. The branch of the entrance unit a plurality of blade-like structures disposed around the inner circumferential surface; The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to claim 1 , wherein the object is injected into the inlet unit while rotating and flowing through the blade-like structure.

8. The object includes radioactive waste and gas; the blade-like structure is provided in a spiral shape to form a vortex flow in the hollow portion of the branch portion, The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to claim 7 , wherein the objects are rotated and mixed and discharged to the outside of the entrance unit through the blade-like structure.

9. 9. The vitrification apparatus of claim 8, further comprising one or more air-cooled input units for allowing the radioactive waste and the gas to be fed together into the inlet unit.

10. 10. The nuclear power plant vitrification apparatus of claim 8, wherein the object contains a predetermined level of moisture to prevent the object from sticking in the entry unit.

11. The blade-like structure is 8. The vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant according to claim 7, wherein the vitrification apparatus is provided at a position spaced apart from the lower end of the branch portion by a value in the range of 15 cm to 20 cm.

12. 1. A method of operating a vitrification device at a nuclear power plant, comprising: accommodating molten glass in an internal space of the lower chamber unit; an entry unit entering the interior space of the lower chamber unit through the upper chamber unit; the entrance unit causes an object to be delivered to the molten glass in the lower chamber unit; the vitrification apparatus includes a drive unit for providing a driving force; The ingress unit The device includes a bar-shaped main body and a plurality of branched portions branching from the main body, A method for operating a vitrification apparatus for a nuclear power plant, wherein the object is distributed to the molten glass via the main body and the branching portion.

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